Chemical Processing cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

The following design features should be considered for facilities that process

chemicals:

The process area should be compartmented to isolate high risk areas,

thereby minimizing productivity and financial loss if an accident occurs.

Movement of personnel, material, and equipment between the process

area and the uncontrolled area (such as the offices) should be through a

controlled access area or an air lock.

The process area should permit ease of egress and material/equipment

movement to allow rapid evacuation in the event of an accident.

Consideration should be given to providing a ready room near or within

the process area where maintenance, operating, and monitoring

personnel could be readily available. The room should be located in a

low background radiation area.

Indicators, auxiliary units, and supporting equipment control components

that do not have to be adjacent to operating/process equipment should

be installed outside the radiation or contaminated areas. Equipment that

requires periodic inspection, maintenance, and testing should be located

in areas with the lowest possible radiation and contaminated levels.

Equipment that is expected to be contaminated during operation should

have provisions for both in-place maintenance and removal to an area of

low radiation for repair. Maintenance areas for repair of contaminated

equipment should provide for containment or confinement of radioactive

material.

To the maximum extent practicable, the process area should provide

sufficient space and versatility to accommodate equipment for

programmatic changes and process modifications. It should also be

designed to facilitate surveillance. Irregular plant layout (with obstacles)

should be avoided where possible.

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